FRISCO — Presbyterian running back Zach Switzer, the grandson of former Cowboys coach Barry Switzer, offered a short and sweet response when asked about the impact his grandfather has had on his football career. 

“This,” he said, standing in the Cowboys’ locker room on Saturday. “This, for sure. 1,000%.”

Switzer had the chance to live out one of his dreams the past two days. He was one of five players invited to try out for the Cowboys during rookie minicamp. Switzer, a Tennessee native, spent his first two seasons playing at Memphis before he transferred to Presbyterian, a recent addition to Division I as an FCS school. He was a first-team all-conference selection in the Pioneer League as a kick returner this past season. He finished with 1,123 combined rushing and receiving yards this past season, as well. 

Switzer said his grandfather reached out to Chris Hall, the Cowboys’ college scouting coordinator, during the draft process. That’s how Switzer landed on the Cowboys’ radar. 

“He did not have to do that,” Switzer said of the call his grandfather made, “and I’m very grateful for that.”

Switzer was grateful for the opportunity to partake in minicamp the last two days, as well. The practices aren’t padded. They are mostly about learning the playbook and going through individual drills with position coaches. It isn’t necessarily easy to make a huge impact on the field as a tryout player. 

Switzer said his mentality was to put his best foot forward in everything he did during the last two days. 

“You have to go 100% on every single rep you get and take advantage of every single opportunity you get on the field,” Switzer said. “No matter if it’s special teams, to running back drills, to walk through, knowing each play.”

Switzer also understood the reality of a tryout position. He said he doesn’t have other minicamp tryouts lined up at this point. 

“I’m super grateful, super honored, and super blessed to have the opportunity to be able to do something like this and achieve one of my dreams,” he said. “And until [making a team], I’m just going to keep telling them I’m grateful for the opportunity.”